Sand trap



March v29, 1927.

-J. A. LAWRENCE SAND TRAP Hummm-"l Filed Nov.. 27. 1926 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES .rosElH A. LAWRENCE, 0E oLDEN, TEXAS.

SAND TRAP.

Application filed November This invention relates to a sand trap for use in connection with pumps for oil and other wells, and has for its object to provide, in a. manner as hereinafter set forth,

Y means to prevent sand from settling down around a pump that 1s used and is seated inV top of a standard working' barrel, under such condition preventing the sanding of the pump which often tiiiieswvill not allow of the pump being pulled, resulting in the total loss thereof.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, means for trapping sand during the operationof a well pump to prevent the sanding of the latter'.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a sand trap, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily installed, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

lith the foregoing and other objects `in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parte, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. Y,

In the `drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view illustrating a sand trap, in accordance' with this invention, and further illustrating the adaptation thereof in connection with elements of a well pump.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view,fin eleval tion, of the upper endeof the guide tube for the pump piston.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the com bined coupling` and trap head element.

A sand trap in accordance with this invention, is interposed between, as well as being connected with the tubing sections 1,v

9.. A pump piston is indicated at 3 and carries at its upper end the foot or standing valve 4:, which extends in the tubing section 1.

The trap includes an upper and a lower coupling nipple referred to generally by 27, 1926. Serial No. 151,145.

the reference characters 3, (i respectively The nipple 5 comprises anl upper and a lower annular portion i'. 8 resi'iectively, and with the latter of greater diameter than` the former.' The portion 'i' `is formed with a Vperipheral shoulder as at 9. The nipple 5 further includes an intermediate .converging portion 10 which leads from the lower portion 8 tothe upper portion 7. The nipple 5, at its upper end is' peripherally threaded, as at 11, and engaging therewith, as well seated on the shoulder 2'/ is thel tubing Section 1, which has its inner face, at its lower portion tlfireaded. as at 12. T he part 8 of the nipple 5 is ofgreater height than the parti? thereof and is interiorly threaded as at 14T.

The lower coupling nipple' G is formed from a cylindrical casting, solid with the exception of an axial opening 13. The nipple consists of a tapered lower portion 15 having depending' therefrom a peripherally threaded collar 16. The casting further includes an intermediate portionof two different dian'ieters having that part of larger diameter, which is the lower part of the intern'iediate portion indicated' at 17. The part of smaller diameter is indicated at 1S and peripherally threaded, as at 22. The intermediate portion is formed with a peripheral shoulder 21, which provides a seat for a `purpose to be presently referred to. The casting further includes a tapered upper portion 19 having' extending upwardly therefrom a collar 19, peripherally threaded, as at 20.. The collars 1G and Q0 form continuations of the opening 18.

Mounted on th .shoulder 21 and engagingwith the threads 22, is a vertically disposed shell 24 which provides the outer wall offa sand receiving chamber 25, to be hereinafter referred to. The inner face ofthe shell '24. at its upper end is threaded as at 26 and the lower end threaded as at 27. The

threads 27 engage with the threads22 on.

.the portion 17. of the nipple 6.

The shell-forms an element of the trap, and the latter further includes the portion 19', collar 19, a pipe member 30, and a combined coupling and trap head element referred to generally by the reference character 31. The element 31 is in the form of an annulus having its periphery threaded, as indicated at 32 and 33.

The threaded peripheral portions 32, 33 are spaced from each other by an annular rib 34. which projects laterally from the body of the element 31, to provide an upper and a lower' shoulder 35, 36 respectively. The rib Slt is interposed between the nipple 5 and shell 9A, and the body of the element 3l extends into said nipple 5 and casing 94. then the clement 31 is mounted in position, the lower end olf the nipple 5 abuts the shoulder 35 and threadedly engages with the threads 32, and the upperl end of the shell 211 abuts the shoulder 36 and threadedly engages with the threads 823, and by this arrangement the nipple 5 is coupled with the shell 24 and the element 3l Mtoi-ms the head ot the trap.

The yelement ll provides an opening l tor the reception ot' the reduced upper end 3T ol the pipe member S0. the latter provides a `guide tube tor the pump piston 3 as well as the inner wall ot the sand receiving chamber The reduced upper terminal portion 3T ot' the pipe `member El() provides a shoulder 38 forming a seatt'or the element 3l.

A series ot radially disposed lengtlrwise extending wedge shaped channels 4:0 is formed in the bony ol the element 8l, and said channels 40 provide sand inlet passages for the chamber 25. The top stl of the element 3l is concave to direct sand towards the inlet passages. The lower end et the pil e member 30 seats on the collar 19, and is t'urther termed with peripheral threads 43 which engage the interior threads ot a coupling band lcoacting with the threads 2O on the collar 19 for securing the pipe member 30 to the coupling nipple 6. The pump pist-on 3 is adapted to operate through the nipple 5 and element 3l. Y

@n the operation of the pump, the sand passing the valve l will t'all into the nipple 5 and :from there is conducted by the sand passages into the chamber 40 while the oil will pass up through the tube l. This operation is had as the sand is heavier than the oil and tends to settle down at all times, therefore, the trap construction as set up reduces the sanding ot a pump to a minimum, and furthermore the action ot the pump cannot attect the sand which has been collected in the chamber 40.

It is thought that the many advantages of a sand trap, for the purpose set forth and in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preierred embodiment ot the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details olf construction ean be had which will tall within the scope ol"I the invention as claimed.

llhat I claim is l. A sand trap for well pumps comprising an upper and a lower nipple and adapted to have a pump piston extend theretln'ough, a vertical shell connected to said lower nipple, an annular member extending into and secured to said shell and upper nipple and formed with a series o'l openings, a pipe supporting said member and connected lo said lower nipple, adapted to surronml the pump piston and forming in connection with said mcn'iber, said lower nipple and said shell, a sand receiving coml'mrtment, the openings in said member liorming inlets lor said compartment. Y

2. A sand trap ttor well pumpsl eoiuprising an upper and a lower nipple and adapted to have a pump piston extend therethrough, a shell connected to said lower nipple. an annular member extending into and secured to said shell and said upper nipple and. having its body portion 'termed with a series ot openings, a pipe supporting said member and connected to said lower nipple. adapted to surround the pump piston and forming in connection with said member, said lower nipple and said shell,y a sand re ceiving compartment, the openings in said annular member forming inlets for said compartment, said annular member having a concave top.

3. A sand trap for well pumps comprising a lower nipple, an upper nipple provided atits top with an inwardly extending iange, said nipples adapted to be connected to tubing sections, and have a pump piston extend theretlnough, a shell connect-ed at its lower end to said lower nipple, an annular member secured to the lower end oit said upper nipple and to the upper end ot said shell and having its body formed with a series ot vertical openings, a pipe having its upper end eX- tending into and supporting said member and further connected with said .tiange and through which extends the pump piston, said member, pipe, flange and shell 'forming a sand receiving compartment, the openings in said member providing inlets t'or said compartment, said member having a concave top.

In testimony whereof, I ail'lix my signature hereto.

JOSEPH A, LfJVRENCE. 

